Reading a detective novel: The noir fiction named ''Murder in Memoriam'' by Didier Daeninckx

The noir novel, as a subgenre of detective fiction, differs from the classic detective novel in that it focuses more on organized crime rather than the individual acts of criminals. In Didier Daeninckx's Murder in Memoriam, a detective, starting from a simple murder, uncovers crimes committed by state officials and hidden historical massacres. Unlike the classic detective novel, the criminals are not brought to justice, and no solution is offered, highlighting a dark atmosphere where injustice and violence provoke a sense of unease in the reader. In our thesis, we aim to examine Didier Daeninckx's Murder in Memoriam in the context of detective fiction theory and noir fiction. This work, evaluated within the noir framework influenced by the neo-polar movement, does not solely focus on solving the crime but addresses social decay, violence, and organized crime. The author delves into France's historical and social dynamics, addressing themes such as the challenges faced by immigrants of Algerian origin, issues of identity, and crimes committed by state officials. Murder iin Memoriam transcends the limits of the classic detective novel, which focuses on identifying the killer, by offering the reader an opportunity to reflect on the social causes underlying the crimes. The story spans a 20-year period, from the investigation into the individual murder of Bernard Thiraud to the murder of his father, Roger Thiraud, in 1961. By tracing the story back into the past, the investigation frames socio-political events in France, such as the 1961 Paris Massacre, the dynamics of 1980s French society, and the Second World War era. The novel addresses the tragedies resulting from political violence during these periods and revives historical and social memory through noir fiction. Focused on individual catastrophes, moral decay, and social corruption, Didier Daeninckx's Murder in Memoriam can be considered a significant example of the noir genre, both in its structure and themes. Keywords: : Detective novel, Noir novel, Didier Daeninckx, Murder in Memoriam